Dress Code

Kuemper Catholic School has a dress code for the following reasons:

1. Appropriate dress for school promotes an environment conducive to study and quality education by encouraging appropriate behavior.
2. A recognizable dress code, like a uniform in any profession, identifies one with and shows one’s pride in his/her school.
3. Students’ economic status should not be able to be distinguished on the basis of their attire.
4. A dress code promotes fair treatment for all students and should make school wardrobes more affordable.

The following Dress Code is in effect for all students of Kuemper Catholic School. It should rarely be necessary for anyone to be out of uniform. If a student comes to school out of uniform, he or she must bring a note from a parent/guardian. A detention will be given for students in grades 9-12 without a written excuse. A detention will also be given to a student who is sent home to change.

Shirts: Students may wear plain red or plain white polo shirts with a standard collar. Students in grades PK-5 may wear red or white turtle necks. Collarless shirts or t-shirts worn underneath must be plain red or plain white. Shirts must be properly buttoned and must be long enough to be tucked in at all times. Note: Students in grades 9-12 may receive detentions for failure to tuck in shirts; several may be incurred in one day.

Pants/slacks: Students may wear solid navy, black, or tan khaki pants/slacks year round. Denim, knit, spandex, nylon, or sweatpant material is not allowed. Pants must have a zipper in grades 6-12. Colored trim or piping, colored zippers, etc. are not allowed. Pants must be of appropriate size and must not be faded. All pants must be worn at the waist and hemmed.

Uniform Jumper: Girls in grades PK-5 may wear gray & red plaid jumpers by Dennis Uniform. Shorts must be worn under the uniform.

Sweaters: Students may wear solid red non-hooded sweaters of any design over the uniform shirt.

Sweatshirts: Students may wear non-hooded, Kuemper sweatshirts over a uniform shirt. All sweatshirts must be in good condition. The only sweatshirts allowed are those that all students have the option to purchase. No special sweatshirt denoting an exclusive team or club will be allowed. Sweatshirts with hoods are considered jackets and may not be worn in school. (Examples—Homecoming sweatshirts, sweatshirts from the Knight Shoppe (no hoods), retail shop purchases, etc. are acceptable. Sweatshirts pertaining to Spanish Club, the Golf Team, or Cheerleading, etc., are not acceptable school uniform.)

Jackets: Pullover or zippered jackets of any kind are not considered appropriate school uniform.

Shorts/capris: Students may wear solid navy, black, or tan khaki shorts/capris from April 15 through October 15. Students in grades PK-3 must wear shorts with an inseam of at least 5 inches. Students in grades 4-12 must wear shorts with an inseam of at least 7 inches. Shorts/capris may not be made of denim, knit, spandex, nylon, or sweatpant material and may not have colored trim or piping, colored zippers, etc. All shorts/capris must be of appropriate size, worn at the waist, hemmed, and not be faded. Girls in grades PK-5 may not wear skorts.

Footwear: Students must wear shoes and socks at all times. Shoelaces must be tied. Sandals/Crocs with socks may be worn during the shorts season. For recess safety, students in grades PK-5 must wear sandals that enclose the toes and have a heel strap. Flip flop type sandals are not allowed. When there is snow or mud on the playground, students in grades PK-3 must wear boots.

Backpacks/bookbags: Students are not allowed to have backpacks/bookbags or purses in the classroom. They must be left in the student’s locker. It is suggested that students not keep anything of great value in the backpacks.

Jewelry: Jewelry should be kept to a minimum, and the appropriateness shall be at the discretion of the administration.  Excessive jewelry may be considered a safety hazard and students will be asked to remove it.

Grooming: Students should have their hair well-groomed. Boys are to be clean and well-shaven (no beards, mustaches, or ponytails). Those asked to shave upon arrival at school will receive a detention.

Body Piercing: Unacceptable body piercing includes, but may not be limited to, piercing of eyebrows, lip, tongue, and nose.

Tatoos: Tatoos are discouraged and must not be visible.

Markers/pens: Writing on hands, arms, legs, etc. is not allowed. Students will be asked to wash it off immediately and may receive a detention.

Casual Days: Certain days will be designated as Casual Days by the Administration. Jeans, shorts (during shorts season), and shirts without collars are acceptable. Any clothing that depicts or promotes the use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco; or demeans any person, is contrary to the values promoted by Kuemper and may not be worn to school. Bare midriffs, spaghetti straps, halter tops, tank tops, or skorts are not allowed. Hats, scarves, and bandanas are not allowed. School uniform attire is always acceptable.

Special Occasion Days: Certain days are designated as Special Occasion Days by the Administration. Students are expected to dress up. Dress shirts with collars and long pants are required for boys. Girls’ dresses must be a modest length. Bare midriffs, spaghetti straps, halter tops, tank tops, shorts, jeans, or skorts are not allowed. School uniform attire is always acceptable.

Red & Gold Spirit Days: Certain days will be designated as Red & Gold Spirit Days. Clothing must be solid red or solid gold, red/gold print or apparel with the Kuemper name/logo on it. Red, gold, or white athletic pants with a small colored stripe are acceptable. Jeans or jean shorts are not allowed. Other shorts are acceptable during the appropriate season. Uniform pants with a Kuemper t-shirt is acceptable. Students in grades PK-8 may not wear hooded sweatshirts. Bare midriffs, spaghetti straps, halter tops, tank tops, or skorts are not allowed. No black t-shirts. Hats, scarves, and bandanas are not allowed. No face painting or hair coloring. School uniform attire is always acceptable.

Theme Days: (PK-8) Uniform pants/shorts and a special theme top (unless the entire outfit in theme).